029. Nerves
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Tikal had gotten used to most of the things in the new world. Granted, there was still a huge learning curve but nevertheless, she was still able to do those things without much of a problem. Going to new places like the Station Square Mall, Twinkle Park, boat cruises. She found them all so wonderful and they would never cease to amaze her.
However, Tikal finally found the place that she utterly disliked being in.
The hospital.
She didn't know what it was about it. Perhaps it was because of the colour, the white, blank colour that surrounded the place. Or maybe it was because she kept on seeing patients on stretchers with an oxygen mask against their face, them being half conscious or not even conscious at all. The waiting room she was currently in was eerily quiet and the only things that could be heard were the faint mumbles and beeping from various machines.
Even though she hated it, she respected all the people who took being a doctor as a job and profession. Dedicating their whole life to look after people, she could not imagine anything more admirable.
Besides, there was a reason why she had to be here.
Tikal looked down at the small bump on her stomach, placing her hand over it as her knee anxiously bounced up and down. She was three months in and she was at her second check up of the month. While she was hesitant to go into the check up room to meet her nurse, she couldn't help but feel giddy knowing that there was a new life growing inside of her. The echidna kept her diet steady, making sure her baby was healthy as well. Becoming a mother... she had seen what it looked like, she just never thought she would be one herself either.
It was a big responsibility, she knew that. She wanted to be the best mother she could be, providing her child all the necessities they needed. She was never able to experience it during the tribe, due to her life style not being adequate enough to raise a child in. Tikal never wanted to be selfish to bring a little one in during that time. It was wholeheartedly wrong.
Her thoughts seemed to calm her down quite a bit but quickly realising that she was in the hospital, Tikal let out a jittery breath and her frantic leg bouncing returned.
"Calm down," Shadow's deep voice murmured next to her, causing Tikal to start and look back at him. His hand was placed against her thigh to stop her legs from moving. He stared at her, his eyes relaxed and softening when she saw how nervous she must've looked, "Do you want me to get you a cup of water?"
"N-No..." Tikal blushed, her gaze went down to his hand as she put her own on top of it, "I'm okay."
Shadow had intertwined their fingers together. "I can't imagine how you'll be when you're in labor," he chuckled out and moved some of her dreads away from her face, "Try and take deep breaths. They're just gonna check to see if you and the baby are okay, that's all."
She nodded, smiling a little at his comfort and sighed. "I know, thank you."
"When we get home, I'll make us dinner. Do you want pasta or lasagna?"
"Your lasagna always tastes amazing but I think I might be in the mood for pasta this time," Tikal looked down at her stomach again, "They might want to try something new too."
"I feel like their eating habits will take more after you than me," Shadow joked and looked at her bump as well, "And maybe my fair share of looks."
Tikal laughed. "I would think so too. You don't see many that look like you, Shadow. So I really want that for you."
Shadow let out a small smile and noticed her change in mood. "You don't seem all that nervous anymore."
She blinked and reverted her gaze back to their hands. "W-Well... I guess having a conversation like this helps," Tikal gnawed on her lip and squeezed his hand back, "And having you here as well."
"I would never leave my sights off of you, Tikal," he said, his tone firm but still held that gentleness she was accustomed to, "I can't imagine what pregnancy really feels like, but I'll do my best to support you and the baby every step of the way."
The echidna sent him a warm smile and leaned against his arm. "You're already becoming a great father."
Shadow suddenly huffed and averted his eyes away, but she could tell he was flustered by her comment.